Teesworks Benevolent Foundation help Strengthen our Junior Section Tots offering and making it easier for children to access and enjoy football.
Following a substantial grant enabled by the Teesworks Benevolent Foundation, our Junior Section has been able to enhance their Tots Programme by partnering with a local Coaching Organisation, have money available to fund a winter venue and be able to provide a voucher scheme to families who may be struggling financially.
The Teeworks Benevolent Foundation was established in 2023 as part of a lasting commitment through corporate social responsibility to support and strengthen communities across the Tees Valley.
Founded on the belief that successful businesses should give back, the Foundation is dedicated to creating opportunities, providing vital support for those in need and helping to build a brighter, fairer future for the people in the Tees Valley. It aims to help tackle poverty and social deprivation in the Tees Valley, working alongside charities, organisations and local action groups to provide financial support and resources where they’re needed most.
After being approached and made aware of the potential for the foundation to help the junior section and gain support from local businesses that share their passion for bringing much-needed assistance to local grassroots organisations, we were absolutely staggered to be awarded a substantial £6,000 donation from the foundation itself and a further £6,500 through several local businesses that the team at the foundation aligned us with.
The generosity of these awards has enabled the club to partner with a local Coaching Organisation to ensure our long-standing (over 15 years) Tots programme has a consistent and high standard of coaching.
It will ensure that we can move the sessions to an all-weather venue during the winter months, and it has enabled us to provide financial support to families who need it most within our club.
“Our Tots programme has been running for several years successfully, and it provides fun, enjoyable introduction sessions for children aged 3 to 6 years old. The club are passionate that these sessions should be free of any fixed charge so that as many children as possible can attend without worrying about cost,” said Junior Treasurer Steve Simpkin.
“These are difficult times for all of us, so the last thing we want to do is introduce a charge for the youngest groups we cater for. However, sustaining the sessions is very challenging. In order to keep the offering free, the club are reliant on volunteer coaches giving up their time, and it can be challenging to ensure that we have sufficient coaches each week or that those coaches are the same individuals at each session. This funding enables us to partner with a local Coaching Company for the next two seasons, which will mean a professional, well-run, consistent approach that will benefit the children massively. The second challenge for the Tots Programme is keeping sessions consistent during the winter months. With the weather taking its toll on pitches at the club, there have been times when sessions have been cancelled for weeks on end, and the children have missed out. Again, the funding provided will mean we can utilise a local all-weather facility during the winter months, ensuring the children don’t miss out.”
Not only does the funding support the Tots programme, but the club have introduced another initiative to ensure that cost is not a barrier for children having access to football. Steve continues:
“We’ve also been able to create a voucher scheme within the club where families who may receive benefits, are eligible for school meals, or simply facing financial pressures can gain access to a £50 Sports Direct voucher which can be used for boots, shin-pads, goalie gloves, base layers, etc. Again, this is a fantastic thing to be able to provide, and I cannot thank the Teesworks Benevolent Foundation for its support and the businesses that donated. In fact, we’d love to invite them all down to join us for a 1st team game next season as our guests”.
